Top plays and players from Super Bowls XXI-XXX

Feb. 3, 2016

Updated Feb. 4, 2016 10:59 p.m.

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Steve Young runs a victory lap after leading the 49ers to a 49-26 win over the Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX in 1995. Young, who threw a Super Bowl record six touchdown passes, was voted the Most Valuable Player. AP FILE PHOTO

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Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Norwood walks dejectedly off the field after missing what would have been the winning field goal in Super Bowl XXV in 1991. AP FILE PHOTO

Steve Young runs a victory lap after leading the 49ers to a 49-26 win over the Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX in 1995. Young, who threw a Super Bowl record six touchdown passes, was voted the Most Valuable Player. AP FILE PHOTO

Super Bowl history is full of impressive stories of teams that put together one run for a championship, but it also has a few teams that were as close to dynasties as anyone can get. Two of those teams – the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys – dominated the stretch from Super Bowl XXI to Super Bowl XXX. And then there were the Buffalo Bills.

Here are some highlights from that 10-year run.

SUPER BOWLS XXI-XXX

Most memorable moment: Wide right. Those are the most painful words in Buffalo, N.Y., where their Bills lost four Super Bowls in a row but were one Scott Norwood kick from winning the first in Super Bowl XXV. Norwood’s attempt from 47 yards out in the final seconds sailed wide right, and the Bills fell to the New York Giants, 20-19.

Ultimate MVP: Pick a 49ers quarterback. Steve Young sliced up the Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX by completing 24 of 36 passes for 325 yards and six touchdowns – plus he ran for 49 yards. But the slight edge goes to Joe Montana with a virtuoso performance – 22 of 29 for 297 and five touchdowns – that overwhelmed the Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV.

Forgotten star: It’s easy to think the Cowboys were all about Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman, and each was an MVP. But Dallas cornerback Larry Brown had two interceptions in Super Bowl XXX to frustrate Pittsburgh quarterback Neil O’Donnell.

Most victories: Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, with three each.

Most losses: Buffalo Bills, with four.

Greatest team: Again, it’s a tough choice between two 49ers, the 1994 version led by Young and the 1989 squad with Montana. And, again, we’ll go with Montana and the Super Bowl XXIV winners in a close call. He was at the top of his game, and so were Jerry Rice and Roger Craig. John Taylor emerged as a stellar receiver. And this team, unlike the one in 1994, had Ronnie Lott.

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